Västerkvarn with Mill Museum
Before electricity was invented, the best source of power was flowing water. And there is plenty of water in Bergslagen. Just outside Strömsholm, a water mill has existed since 1399—called Westerqwarn.
Gustav Vasa, who was keen on controlling as many natural resources as possible, ensured that the mill became crown property in 1557. A little later, water power was also used here for a sawmill.
In the 19th century, the mill was rebuilt and equipped with five stones for grinding flour.
Until 1915, a waterwheel in the Kolbäck River drove the grooved round millstones around and around. The large wooden wheel had paddles on it, which scooped up water as they moved upwards and then poured it out on the way down. This kept the wheel turning as long as the water in the rapids flowed. Since there was an axle on the wheel, the rotating motion could be transferred to the millstone, causing one stone to rotate while the other remained stationary. The grain to be milled was poured between the stones to be ground into flour. If finer flour was desired, the stones could be adjusted closer together.
The grain to be milled was poured into mill hoppers on the third floor and fell to the second floor, where it was ground into flour, then emptied into sacks on the ground floor to be loaded and transported to the farmer who had grown the grain or to a buyer. Over the years, countless 100-kilo sacks of flour have been filled and carried here.
In 1915, the mill switched to electric power.
We know that water-powered mills have existed in Sweden since the 12th century. Over time, more and more things were discovered that could be powered by a waterwheel. Without waterwheels, for example, Sweden would never have been able to produce as much iron as it did during the many centuries when iron production sustained the country’s economy.
And Tycho Brahe built a water mill to grind old fabrics into pulp for making paper so he could publish his scientific books.
In the past, people made full use of small streams to harness their power. But this often led to disputes over space, as can be understood from old provincial laws. For example, the Östgöta Law states:
“If several rapids are together and all wish to build, then no one may build in such a way that it harms another; those who can build without damage to others have the right of way. If a new waterworks damages an old one, the old waterworks has the right to have the new one removed.”
When the nobility emerged, they quickly realized the great value of watercourses. This allowed them to control the farmers and force them to grind their grain in their mills, profiting from it.
The current mill in Westerqwarn was built in 1867 and was equipped with five millstones. At that time, Westerqwarn was one of the largest mills in the country. It operated for over a hundred years, grinding grain from the Strömsholm area. In 1974, the mill was closed, and the last batch of grain was milled into flour.
FACTS
In 1915, a dam facility and the current Västerkvarn power station were built. The facility is still in operation and produces electricity for Mälarenergi.
Today, Westerqwarn has been converted into a restaurant, pub, banquet hall, café, mill museum, exhibition space, conference venue, and activity center.
The mill museum follows Westerqwarn’s restaurant opening hours.
Västerkvarn Manor offers hostel accommodations.
Vintage car meet-ups take place on Mondays at 5 PM during the summer.
